Norm Macdonald
Stand-up comedian from Canada 🇨🇦
About Norm Macdonald
Norm Macdonald (October 17, 1959 - September 14, 2021), born Norman Gene Macdonald, was a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer whose style was characterized by deadpan delivery, eccentric understatement, and the use of folksy, old-fashioned turns of phrase. He appeared in numerous films and was a frequent guest on late-night talk shows, where he developed a reputation for his chaotic yet understated comedic style. His appearances on Conan O'Brien's and David Letterman's programs were especially well-received, with Letterman describing him as "the best" stand-up comedian.
Earlier in his career, Macdonald's first television work included writing for comedies such as Roseanne and The Dennis Miller Show. In 1993, he was hired as a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live, spending five seasons on the series, which included anchoring the show's Weekend Update segment for three and a half seasons. He was removed as host of Weekend Update in 1998, allegedly for relentlessly mocking O. J. Simpson during his murder trial. After leaving SNL, he wrote and starred in the 1998 film Dirty Work and headlined his own sitcom, The Norm Show, from 1999 to 2001. He also provided voice acting for Family Guy, The Fairly OddParents, Mike Tyson Mysteries, The Orville, and the Dr. Dolittle films.
Macdonald was born in Quebec City, Quebec, to Ferne and Percy Lloyd Macdonald, both Anglophone teachers. He attended Quebec High School and then Gloucester High School in Ottawa, graduating at the age of 14, before enrolling at Carleton University to study mathematics and philosophy. His first performances were at stand-up clubs in Ottawa, regularly appearing on amateur nights at Yuk Yuk's in 1985, and six months later he performed at the 1986 Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. Between 2013 and 2018, he hosted the talk shows Norm Macdonald Live and Norm Macdonald Has a Show, and in 2016 he authored the novel Based on a True Story. He died of leukemia in September 2021, a condition he had not publicly disclosed.
Videos (9)
Videos 1 to 9 of 9.
5:34Norm Macdonald does standup about coronavirus
4.3M views
3:43Norm Macdonald does standup about coronavirus pt. 2
1.4M views
6:29Quarantined with Norm Macdonald (ft. Adam Eget)
672.3K views
9:10Quarantined with Norm Macdonald (ft. Chevy Chase)
668.9K views
14:51Quarantined with Norm Macdonald (ft. Roseanne)
631.3K views
7:56Quarantined with Norm Macdonald (ft. Bob Saget)
571.8K views
2:02Norm Macdonald's Bat Song
299.3K views
6:19Quarantined with Norm Macdonald (ft. Josh Gardner)
203.3K views
Norm Macdonald
0 viewsGuest appearances (78)
Videos on other comedians' channels featuring Norm Macdonald.
Guest appearances 1 to 24 of 78.
5:09Norm Macdonald Is Married To A Real Battle-Axe | CONAN on TBS
Conan O'Brien
10.4M views
4:16Norm Macdonald Tells The Most Convoluted Joke Ever - CONAN on TBS
Conan O'Brien
7.4M views
3:55Norm Macdonald Keeps Interrupting His Own Trump Story | CONAN on TBS
Conan O'Brien
6.5M views
2:34Norm Macdonald Hates Oscar Pistorius | CONAN on TBS
Conan O'Brien
4.6M views
0:56The Best Norm MacDonald Story! | Whiskey Ginger
Andrew Santino
4M views
11:24Jim Downey On The “Anarchy” Of Norm Macdonald’s “Weekend Update” | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend
Conan O'Brien
3.2M views
3:13The First Time Adam Sandler & Norm Macdonald Acted Together | CONAN on TBS
Conan O'Brien
2M views
3:16Norm Macdonald Is Smitten With Keke Palmer | CONAN on TBS
Conan O'Brien
1.8M views
1:59Norm Macdonald: Chris Farley Revealed SNL's Most Shocking Secret To Me | CONAN on TBS
Conan O'Brien
1.8M views
14:59Bill Maher on Getting Anger from Both Sides, Our Divided Country & Norm Macdonald’s Passing
Jimmy Kimmel
1.7M views
3:37Norm Macdonald Made A "Sully" Prequel | CONAN on TBS
Conan O'Brien
1.5M views
4:59Seth Remembers Norm Macdonald
Seth Meyers
1.4M views
10:05Jim Downey & Norm Macdonald Were Both Fired From “SNL” | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend
Conan O'Brien
1.3M views
1:22How Norm Macdonald Repaid David Spade's Generous Gift | CONAN on TBS
Conan O'Brien
1.2M views
1:02:38David Spade Talks SNL, Chris Farley & Norm Macdonald (FULL EPISODE) | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend
Conan O'Brien
1.2M views
10:54David Spade & Conan Remember Their Friend Norm Macdonald | Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend
Conan O'Brien
777.6K views
4:20Jeff Ross Shares His Memories Of Norm Macdonald | Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Conan O'Brien
682.5K views
2:40Norm Macdonald's "The Late Late Show" Audition | CONAN on TBS
Conan O'Brien
626.6K views
3:17Conan & David Spade Swap Stories About Norm Macdonald 02/08/21 | Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Conan O'Brien
621.4K views
16:46Jon Stewart Talks to Comedy Icons: Robin Williams, Richard Lewis & Norm Macdonald | The Daily Show
Jon Stewart
606.3K views
7:36Conan, Andy, & Producer Frank Smiley Remember Norm Macdonald | Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend
Conan O'Brien
578.2K views
3:36Dana Carvey & Conan Talk Norm Macdonald | Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Conan O'Brien
565.6K views
11:30Judd Apatow on Mushrooms with Wife Leslie Mann & Documentaries About Norm Macdonald & Maria Bamford
Jimmy Kimmel
528K views
7:38Conan: Norm Macdonald Was Fearless | Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Conan O'Brien
481.3K viewsChannels on this page: Conan O'Brien, Andrew Santino, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart
Frequently asked questions
What was Norm Macdonald known for?
He was a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor and writer known for his deadpan delivery, eccentric understatement, and folksy, old-fashioned turns of phrase, especially on late-night talk shows.
What was Norm Macdonald's role on Saturday Night Live?
He joined SNL in 1993 as a writer and cast member, spending five seasons on the show and anchoring the Weekend Update segment for three and a half seasons before being removed as host in 1998.
What films and shows did Norm Macdonald star in?
He wrote and starred in the 1998 film Dirty Work and headlined his own sitcom, The Norm Show, from 1999 to 2001.
Where was Norm Macdonald born?
He was born on October 17, 1959, in Quebec City, Quebec, to Anglophone teachers Ferne and Percy Lloyd Macdonald.
How did Norm Macdonald die?
He died of leukemia on September 14, 2021, a condition he had not publicly disclosed.
Comedians similar to Norm Macdonald
Same comedic style, across countries
